The 6 technology platforms and centres offer access to specialized facilities, advanced equipment, compound libraries, methodological expertise, and research support services. These resources are essential for the successful delivery of biomedical, clinical, population health, and innovation projects, and are available on a cost-recovery basis.

Each platform is led by a designated director and supported by a user committee, ensuring the efficient, equitable, and sustainable management of services.

• Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre:

  Located at The Ottawa Hospital, the Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre (BMC) is Canada’s most experienced facility for the production of cell and virus-based therapies for human clinical trials. With more than 20 products manufactured for trials across North America, Europe, and Asia, the BMC is a trusted partner for both academic and industry-led innovation.

  Equipped with eight GMP-compliant manufacturing suites and a team of 40 experts, the BMC offers end-to-end services—from process development to manufacturing and fill-finish—tailored to meet the highest regulatory standards.

  Over nearly two decades, the BMC has produced a wide range of advanced therapeutics, including:

  • Viral immunotherapies for cancer
  • Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells
  • CAR-T therapies (cells and lentivirus)
  • Genetically engineered endothelial progenitor cells
  • Adeno-associated viruses for gene therapy
  • COVID-19 vaccines

  In addition to manufacturing, the BMC leads Canada’s only hands-on training program in biotherapeutics manufacturing, in collaboration with Algonquin College, the University of Ottawa, and Mitacs.

  This vital infrastructure is made possible through the support of the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario Research Fund, BioCanRx, and generous donors to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.

• High throughput Screening (HTS):

  The University of Ottawa, in collaboration with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) and the CHEO Research Institute (CHEO-RI), offers a virtual network of high throughput screening (HTS) labs. This decentralized platform provides uOttawa researchers with access to advanced instrumentation, compound and genetic libraries, specialized services, and expert support for molecular and high throughput experimentation.

• Ottawa Methods Centre:

  The Ottawa Methods Centre (OMC) is the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute’s core resource for research methods expertise. In partnership with the University of Ottawa, the OMC supports investigators across all stages of health research—offering guidance on study design, biostatistics, data management, knowledge translation, and more.

  Whether you're planning a clinical trial, analyzing large datasets, or exploring qualitative methods, the OMC provides tailored consultations, workshops, and hands-on support to strengthen the scientific rigour and impact of your work.

  With a multidisciplinary team of experts, the OMC helps transform research ideas into high-quality studies that improve patient care and inform health policy.

• Office for Patient Engagement in Research Activities:

  The Office for Patient Engagement in Research Activities (OPERA) is a leading resource housed at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute that empowers researchers to meaningfully engage patients and caregivers as partners in health research.

  OPERA offers tailored guidance and resources to help research teams integrate patient perspectives at every stage—from priority setting and study design to knowledge translation. The goal: to ensure research is relevant, inclusive, and grounded in real-world experiences.

  By fostering authentic partnerships between patients and researchers, OPERA strengthens the quality, impact, and ethical foundation of patient-oriented research across the University of Ottawa and its affiliated institutes.

• OHRI Biorepository:

  Located at the Civic Campus in the Loeb Building, the Ottawa Hospital Biorepository is a cutting-edge facility supporting researchers with the secure handling, storage, and management of biological samples. Since its official launch in 2012—beginning with over 86,000 samples from the Ontario Health Study—the Biorepository has become a vital resource for biomedical research across Ottawa and beyond.

  With the capacity to store hundreds of thousands of biological specimens in vapour-phase liquid nitrogen, the Biorepository offers centralized services including sample receipt, storage, inventory control, packaging, and distribution. Researchers benefit from advanced infrastructure and dedicated support from trained personnel.

  Facility Highlights:

  • 1,200 ft² purpose-built space
  • Seven cryogenic freezers (90,000-sample capacity each)
  • Triple monitoring systems for temperature and liquid nitrogen levels
  • Secure, trackable Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS: BioBank)
  • Cryo Carts for safe sample handling at –190°C
  • Vapour Shippers for secure national and international transport (classified non-hazardous)

  Security and Safety:
  The Biorepository is key-card restricted, monitored by security cameras, and connected to emergency power with 24/7 alarm monitoring. A state-of-the-art oxygen monitoring system ensures personnel safety, while trained staff remain on-call around the clock to respond to freezer alerts within one hour. As a result, the Biorepository is not self-serve; all operations are carried out by experienced Biorepository staff.

• Clinical Investigative Unit:

  The Clinical Investigation Unit (CIU) is a dedicated 12-bed clinical research facility located at the General Campus of The Ottawa Hospital. With decades of experience supporting trials from Phase I to Phase IV, the CIU plays a key role in advancing clinical and pharmacokinetic research, including studies on bioequivalence and drug-drug or drug-food interactions.

  Designed for flexibility and comfort, the CIU offers both short- and long-term private accommodations, with 24/7 medical monitoring provided by experienced research nurses and physicians. An on-site laboratory handles sample processing, storage, and shipment, ensuring seamless integration into study protocols.

  The CIU operates under Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with all studies adhering to ICH guidelines and the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

  Fully integrated with other core services at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, the CIU is equipped to support even the most complex study designs—making it a trusted environment for clinical excellence.

Éric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease (CNMD)

Established in 1999, the Éric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease (CNMD) advances fundamental and translational research to better understand, diagnose, and treat neuromuscular disorders. Bringing together one of the world’s highest concentrations of neuromuscular researchers, the CNMD unites over 60 scientists and clinicians and more than 150 trainees and staff from the University of Ottawa, affiliated hospitals, and research institutes. A pillar of the University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, CNMD researchers have secured more than $100 million in competitive funding and published over 1,000 peer‑reviewed articles. The Centre is currently co‑led by Dr. Mireille Khacho and Dr. Hanns Lochmüller.

University of Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology (OISB)

The University of Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology (OISB) develops and applies systems biology approaches to advance research on human disease. Founded in 2005 and granted University Centre status in 2009, the OISB integrates biology, advanced technologies, and computational modeling to understand biological processes at the molecular and cellular levels. Based primarily at the Faculty of Medicine, with members across campus, the Institute supports interdisciplinary research, education and training, public outreach, and international collaboration, with significant impact on target identification and drug discovery.

University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute (uOBMRI)

The University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute (uOBMRI) is the University’s largest research institute and one of the largest of its kind in Canada, with more than 250 members. The uOBMRI serves as a dynamic hub for interdisciplinary research and training, connecting investigators across multiple faculties, six affiliated hospital research institutes, Carleton University, and international research networks. Its vision is to lead neurodiscovery through innovative research that transforms prevention, diagnosis, and care to improve health outcomes for individuals and society.

University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre (uOSSC)

The University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre (uOSSC) is a national and international leader in simulation‑based education and research. One of the busiest and most diverse centres of its kind in North America, the uOSSC provides state‑of‑the‑art facilities that support high‑quality medical education, interprofessional learning, and innovation in health professions training. Founded through a partnership between the University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital, the Centre attracts learners, clinicians, and researchers from around the world and promotes patient‑centred, high‑quality care through simulation.

Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (CI3)

The Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (CI3) brings together basic and clinical scientists to address complex research questions related to infectious and inflammatory diseases. Drawing expertise from disciplines such as immunology, microbiology, biochemistry, pathology, and chemistry, CI3 fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to better understand disease pathogenesis and identify novel therapeutic targets. With Canada facing a high burden of chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases, the Centre plays a critical role in advancing integrated, multi‑dimensional research approaches with direct relevance to patient care.

Centre for Indigenous Health Research and Education (CIHRE)

Established in 2022, the Centre for Indigenous Health Research and Education (CIHRE) is dedicated to improving Indigenous health education, research, and capacity development to better serve First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. Grounded in principles of self‑determination and aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), CIHRE collaborates with Indigenous organizations on priority health and wellbeing initiatives. The Centre is committed to setting standards in Indigenous data governance and research ethics while advancing culturally safe, community‑driven health research and education.